Cautiva

Montagues #4

by Elizabeth Elliott

Habiendo acumulado más riqueza y poder de los que nunca pudo soñar, Dante Chiavari, el mejor agente del rey, el hombre más frío y peligroso de Inglaterra, quiere volver a su tierra natal, Italia, y recuperar todo lo que un día perteneció a su familia. Pero antes, debe realizar una última misión: raptar a la inocente Avalene de Forshay y hacerla desaparecer para siempre de la forma que crea más conveniente. Ya sea tomándola como amante u obligándola a que ingrese en un convento, acabando con su vida o convirtiéndola en su esposa... será suya para hacer con ella lo que quiera.

Engañada, traicionada, seducida... así se siente Avalene cuando descubre que es la prisionera del despiadado guerrero que la ha conquistado por completo.

Ambos tratarán de luchar contra sus sentimientos, pero la salvaje y violenta pasión que estalla entre ellos destruirá todas sus defensas y se convertirá en fuego bajo su piel... en su sangre... en su corazón...

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval, Medieval Romance, Historical Fiction, Adventure

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Elizabeth Elliott is the pseudonym for American romance novel author Linda Crippes, née Linda Kay Elliott in Fort Worth, Texas. All of her novels are published by Bantam Books, now owned by Random House. In addition to writing, she has held various management positions with Fortune 500 companies and worked as a management consultant for a variety of smaller businesses, specializing in information technology. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband.

Reviews

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I can hold my own against any evil,” he said softly. “ ’Tis innocence and beauty that hold the power to ruin me.”

I came, I saw, I swooned. This was everything. I hate insta lust/love, but this book made it believable and precious.


“There are many women in the world, and it was beyond my grasp what made one woman special enough to go to such extremes.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Now I understand.”

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote: “I am your knight. You are my lady. Time is all that can change those facts, but time is not yet our enemy.”

A while ago on Twitter, I saw a couple of people mention that they were very happy Elizabeth Elliott was writing again. After a little research I discovered this author has three books out in the mid-90’s (all well received). I became intrigued, and decided to request The Dark Knight for review, to see what all the hype was about. I’m so glad I did.

Set in the late 1200’s, Dante Chiavari has one goal in life – to destroy his uncle, who murdered his parents and stole all that would belong to him and one day return to Venice, and reclaim all that is his. As a young man, Dante was left with no parents or money and eventually found his way to King Edward’s court in England. As an adult, he is the King’s assassin, an extremely feared man. Now that he has a plan in place to exact revenge on his uncle, he has decided he will do one last task for King Edward, before retiring back to his home country. His last assignment will change his life. The king’s magician who can foresee the future warns Dante:

“Your fate and the king’s have become intertwined over the years. The fate of one woman in particular will affect you both in equal measure, but she is a scale that cannot be balanced.”

He also tells him:

“If this girl weds Faulke Segrave or if she dies by the hand of another assassin, you will never leave England alive. That is how your fate is connected.”

His assignment involves riding to where Avalene de Forshay is staying with her aunt and uncle. Avalene has been betrothed to a man named Faulke Segrave. King Edward is worried that since Avalene has ties to Welsh heritage, that Faulke will marry her and convince the other Marcher lords to rise up against Edward. The king wants Dante to ride in, pretending to be her father’s knight, Sir Percival, and get her away from Faulke, who eventually will be forced to marry an English bride. Avalene, not happy living with her aunt and uncle, willingly escapes with “Sir Percival” thinking she is being taken back to her father’s estate.

From here the story unfolds as Dante and Avalene travel across the English countryside, running from enemies and falling in love. She has to put all of her faith into a man she barely knows:

After tomorrow my life will never again be the same. My entire future depends upon a man I have known for less than a day. My future depends on you, Sir Percival.” She studied his face, trying to reassure herself that she was doing the right thing in trusting him. “Tell me the truth. Do you think you will succeed?”
He answered without hesitation. “I have no doubt of plan, so long as you remain cooperative.”
“What makes you so certain?”
The corners of his mouth curved upward. “I was sent here to protect you and see to your safety, my lady, and I am very good at what I do.”

So much stands out in this book. First of all, at the beginning, Dante cares only about revenge and nothing else. He could care less about this woman named Avalene and what his mission is. As long as he completes it and gets to go back to Venice and live his days out in peace, the consequences of his actions towards Avalene mean nothing to him. But then he meets Avalene, and his world tumbles. There is not only an immediate physical lust between them, but he comes to respect her. She challenges him, and is one of the few people to ever look upon him without fear. He realizes this woman would bring pleasure and surprises to him for a long time to come.

Under the guise of Sir Percival, he is a knight. Chivalrous to the core with Avalene. And so, so masculine.

Even after his true identity is discovered, he is still such a gentleman to her. He cherishes her, and will protect her at any cost. He is horrible to his enemies and those he doesn’t trust, yet utterly devoted to Avalene, soft and warm. He is completely alpha and it’s truly romantic and just made me smile throughout.

Dante has self loathing, looking at himself as truly a demon. I kind of wish this had played out more as the book progressed. He has such cold blood running through him as he revenges his parents death and deals with the man he has become, this side fizzles a little bit as the book progresses. I wish he would have held onto that a little longer.

Finally he fitted his lips to hers in a kiss so gentle, so filled with reverence that she felt tears come to her eyes. Like everything else about Sir Percival, his kiss was perfect. It was a kiss that a knight bestowed upon his lady-love, a kiss that spoke of the yearning he suffered for a lady who was forever beyond his reach. It was a kiss that sealed fates.

Dante is an extremely skilled assassin. There is absolutely no question that no harm will come to Avalene as they travel, and all of their enemies will be completely wiped out by Dante and his few trusted friends. This lends to great romantic notions in this book. All I do is read romance books, but this book has such grand romantic notions in it that it makes it stand out. One look from Dante to his friends, and they obey his every order. He can have a band of dozens of men confront him, and a few minutes later, he is the only one left standing. He doesn’t fight fair, even poisoning Avalene at one point, to eventually rescue her from someone, but it all just adds to the excitement of this book.

This book is just purely romantic

“I knew you were behind the tapestry,” he said. “I also knew the railing was about to give way. I was waiting for you, waiting for you to fall.”
Waiting all my life for you, he added silently, waiting all my life for you to fall in love with me.

Oh Dante. I’m in love with you! I hope other readers will fall in love too.

Rating: A-

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't want this one to end. The smutty reader that I am wanted more love scenes. Fans of medieval romance will enjoy this one.

[Yayita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaasssssswssssswwweeggggggrrrrrrr <3
Dante, ti amo caro.
Valió la pena la espera, Elliott no decepciona. Veamos con qué nos sorprende pronto, hope so.
Extrañé a Guy y a Kenric :(

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante Chiaverri is a Very Bad Man. Assassin, thief, wicked, damned -- how else to describe a man who has served as King Edward's hired assassin? A nobleman's son, he has come to England in hiding from the family that would assassinate him and his family (his sister was the subject of Elliott's prior book, Betrothed). He's jaded, dark, bitter and skeptical, and believes that his sole purpose in life is to reclaim his heritage and home.

Fate has other plans. The King wants Dante to prevent a young Welsh noblewoman, Avalene de Forshay, from becoming a political pawn among the Welsh Marcher lords who wish to regain power from Edward. If she marries the man her father has approved, it will mean war. Dante is dispatched to kidnap her.

Avalene is young and innocent, but understands her worth to her father and to the other nobles in Wales. Dante impersonates a nobleman sent to escort her to London, but he's a goner for Avalene from the moment she falls into his arms. She doesn't see the man he is, she sees the man he could be, even as Dante tries to convince her otherwise. She isn't young and stupid, she's young, inexperienced and wise, and sees Dante's essence and loves him for it.

I loved the bond these two formed. They are very lonely people, used by the powerful people in their lives. They are afraid to trust one another, afraid to believe that this miraculous love could happen to them. Hope is a hard flame to quench. Despite his scars and past, Dante wants very much to be the man that Avalene believes she sees.

Their love story is tentative, funny, heart warming, and so very tender I had tears in my eyes. There were never two lovers who needed one another more than Dante and Avalene. Loved this book.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more. But I can't. 3 stars for the medieval setting, which I love. I feel little chemistry between the lead characters. The heroine is especially boring.

[Aneca]

I had fond memories of the previous books in this series. I did enjoy this one although they fell in love too quickly. Really curious about the next one in the series.

[Heather Book Savvy Babe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading historical romances, but I was looking for a change. When I saw The Dark Knight was from a medieval time (instead of Regency of Victorian), I was excited to pick it up and give it a try. I am glad I picked this book up, I thoroughly enjoyed the The Dark Knight and I found a new-to-me author to watch.

The Dark Knight is an alluring novel that transports readers into a medieval English world full of deceit, intrigue, romance, and just a hint of magic.

It took me a little bit to really get into this book. The book begins with the King's Assassin, Dante Chiavari, visiting his mentor, a mystical magician who gives Dante his new mission. It took me a bit to understand just who this mystic was to Dante and to the story. As the book continues, it becomes clear, but in the beginning, I was uncertain. The mystic, Mordecai, is a mentor to Dante and also an advisor to the king. Mordecai predicts the future and helps guide it. Dante gets his mission, to kill his enemy in Italy and to abduct a woman to keep her marriage from threatening the King's reign. While I was a bit confused about the mission in the beginning, it proves to be integral to the story. According to Mordecai, Dante's actions and choices on the mission can drastically affect the future for both himself, and for the country.

Dante Chiavari is a dark man, he is a deadly assassin, loyal to King Edward of England. Dante had been wrongly exiled from his home in Italy and was trained by Mordecai to become a killer. For most of his life, Dante's purpose was to destroy the man who murdered his parents and ruined his life. Once Dante accomplishes this, his purpose in life is not as clear. When Dante pretends to be Sir Percival to abduct Avalene de Forshay, the attraction between them is strong and Dante begins to think more on what he wants his future to look like. As for Avalene, she is surrounded by people who only want to use her, for either her beauty or for her lineage. She doesn't know who to trust, and when she learns of "Sir Percival's" betrayal, she doesn't know if she will be able to trust any man again.

Avalene and Dante's relationship develops at a steady pace. They have a definite attraction to each other from the beginning, but they both have doubts and obligations the keep them from falling into a serious relationship. Avalene is betrothed and she believes her father has her best interests in mind, but after absconding with Dante, she realizes that her reputation will be ruined. Dante has to figure out where Avalene would fit into his life, the life of a monster. In the meantime, Avalene's betrothed tries to kidnap her back from Dante and there are significant political implications to whoever Avalene winds up marrying. There is a lot going on in The Dark Knight, plenty of adventure, some sizzling romance, and intrigue that kept my interest throughout the book.

As the story progresses, so do the characters. Avalene discovers that there is more to Dante than a cold-blooded killer, and she begins to see the bigger picture. She looses some of her naivety and learns the value of having faith in the right people. Dante learns to see himself as more than a killer, he begins to see that maybe he can actually find happiness in his life.

The Dark Knight is an excellent read. There is a highly developed plot, with interesting sub-plots and enough intrigue to keep me fully engaged in the story. The romance was excellent, it was believable, tender at times, and also sizzling at times. What really cinched the Dark Knight as a good read for me was the hint of magic that Mordecai the magician brought to the story. I would not classify this book as paranormal by any means, but there is that touch of magic that makes the romance, adventure, and intrigue really stand out.

Readers who like slightly darker romances will really enjoy this book. I recommend The Dark Knight to historical romance readers as well. I am definitely looking forward to read more by Elizabeth Elliott in the future.

*I received this book for review*

[May Mostly Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

สำหรับคนที่รอเล่มนี้มาสิบสองปี (นับจากเริ่มอ่านงานของอลิซาเบ็ธ เอลเลียต) เราคงบอกว่า ถ้าคนแต่งต้องใช้เวลาสิบหกปี (จากงานเล่มสุดท้ายที่เธอเขียน) เพื่อเขียนเรื่องนี้ออกมาให้เป็นแบบนี้ เราก็ว่าคุ้มค่านะคะ เพราะเราย้อนกลับไปค้นบทสั้น ๆ ที่แนบมาท้ายเรื่องเมื่อปี 1997 ซึ่งถือว่าเป็นคนละเวอร์ชั่นกันเลยกับหนังสือเล่มนี้ (แต่ตัวละครเดียวกัน) เราว่าเวอร์ชั่นปี 2012 นี่ดีกว่ามากมาย

นี่เป็นอีกครั้งนึงที่เราตกหลุมรักพระเอกตั้งแต่ฉากเปิดตัว ใครจะต้านทานได้เมื่อเขาเริ่มต้นด้วยการฆ่าปาดคอ (รสนิยมเราออกจะโหดไปหน่อยค่ะ --- รู้ตัวนะคะ) ซึ่งเป็นการล้างแค้นคนร้ายที่ฆ่าพ่อและแม่ของเขา และนั่นทำให้ดังเต้ขยับเข้าใกล้กับการคืนสู่สถานะเดิมของตัวเอง หลังจากถูกญาติสนิททรยศจนต้องลี้ภัยออกจากอิตาลี มาอยู่อังกฤษ และทำงานเป็นมือสังหารให้กับกษัตริย์ ในที่สุดหลังจากทำหน้าที่นั้นมาหลายปี เขากำลังจะกลับอิตาลี เหลืองานสุดท้ายเพียงอย่างเดียว

การลักพาตัวหญิงสาวจากตระกูลสูง ผู้สืบเชื้อสายสำคัญที่อาจจะสั่นคลอนฐานอำนาจของกษัตริย์ ถ้าหาเธอแต่งงานกับผู้ชายผิดคน ดังเต้ปลอมตัวเข้าไปในปราสาท และเหตุการณ์ก็เป็นใจทำให้เลดี้เอวาลีนเชื่อใจเขามากพอจะหลบหนีไปกับเขา

เหตุการณ์ช่วงต้นเรื่องทำให้เราคิดว่า ธีมของเรื่องจะมืดมากกว่าที่เป็น แต่จริง ๆ แล้วไม่ถึงขนาดนั้น แก่นของเรื่องก็ยังคงเป็นเรื่องโรแมนซ์ระหว่างอัศวิน และเลดี้ผู้เป็นเจ้าของหัวใจของเขา หลายสิ่งหลายอย่างในเรื่องคลี่คลายง่ายเกินเหตุ และลงตัวมากไปหน่อย แต่ด้วยจังหวะของการดำเนินเรื่อง ระหว่างที่อ่าน เราไม่รู้สึกว่า เป็นปัญหาอะไรนะคะ

เราชอบพระเอกตั้งแต่ฉากแรก (จริง ๆ ตั้งแต่เขาออกมาใน Betrothed) เข้าใจว่า บางอย่างเกิดขึ้น ทำให้คนแต่งเปลี่ยนใจไม่เขียนเรื่องของเขาออกมาอย่างที่ทิ้งท้ายเอาไว้ในบทส่งท้ายของ Betrothed ไม่ว่าเป็นอะไร เราขอบคุณนะคะ เพราะเราชอบตัวตนของเขาในเวอร์ชั่นนี้มากกว่า กระนั้นดังเต้ก็ยังคงเป็นดังเต้ที่เราเจอใน Betrothed นักฆ่าที่เลือกใช้ยาพิษมากกว่าการต่อสู้ซึ่งหน้า ไม่ใช่เพราะเขาไร้ฝีมือ แต่มันเป็นวิธีที่ได้ผลมากกว่า

มากยิ่งไปกว่านั้น เราชอบนางเอก เราคิดว่าคนแต่งเขียนได้ลงตัวเกี่ยวกับคาแร็คเตอร์ของเธอ เอวาลีนเป็นหญิงสาวที่อยู่ในยุคนั้น เธอไม่ได้ก๋ากั๋น ทำตัวเก่งกาจ หรือมุ่งมั่นจะเอาชนะผู้ชาย เธอแค่อยากมีบ้าน (ปราสาท) สามี และลูก เมื่อสถานการณ์ทำให้เธอต้องเลือก แม้จะเป็นการเลือกระหว่างสิ่งที่แย่ กับสิ่งที่เลวร้ายกว่า เธอก็เข้มแข็ง (ทางจิตใจ) แล้วก้าวต่อไป เราว่าเธอเป็นสมดุลที่ดีกับคาแร็คเตอร์ของดังเต้มาก ๆ

ประเด็นที่ขัดใจเราไม่น้อยในเรื่อง ก็คือความเชื่อที่พระเอกมีให้กับ The Magician กับคำทำนายไพ่ทาโรต์ของชายคนนั้น แต่คิดอีกทีก็พอทำใจยอมรับได้ เมื่อคิดว่า อยู่ในยุคกลาง และคนยุคนั้นก็มีแนวโน้มจะเชื่อเรื่องเหนือธรรมชาติ (แต่ก็นะ เป็นพระเอกอ่ะ เราคาดหวังให้เขามีเหตุมีผลมากกว่านี้)

ส่วนหนึ่งที่ชอบเรื่องนี้มาก เพราะดังเต้ทำให้เรานึกถึงพระเอกที่เป็นมือสังหารอีกคนนึง Allegreto ของลอรา คินเซล ไม่กล้าพอจะบอกว่า เล่มนี้เทียบเคียงปลายเล็บของเล่มนั้นได้หรอกนะคะ แต่แค่เศษเสี้ยวเดียวที่เตือนให้เรานึกถึง Allegreto ได้ ก็ทำให้หัวใจของเราพองโตแล้วล่ะ

อีกอย่างนึงที่เล่มนี้ทำให้เราคิดได้ก็คือ ความเปลี่ยนแปลงของหนังสือโรแมนซ์ในช่วงยี่สิบปีที่ผ่านมา เล่มนี้อาจจะออกขายเมื่อปีก่อน (2012) แต่สไตล์การเขียนยังเป็นโรแมนซ์เมื่อสักสิบกว่าปีก่อนอยู่ ซึ่งก็คือ การอัดแน่นไปด้วยการบรรยายฉาก และเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นในประวัติศาสตร์ ซึ่งเดี๋ยวนี้หาอ่านไม่ได้แล้วในโรแมนซ์ยุคใหม่ (ที่เขียนในช่วงห้าถึงสิบปีที่ผ่านมา) และทำให้เรารู้ตัวว่า คิดถึงเรื่องโรแมนซ์แบบนี้มากขนาดไหน

[Amanda Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Tis true, I am a murderer, a liar, and a thief. 'Tis equally true that I will use whatever monstrous talents I posses to keep your daughter at my side. You can take Avalene to a convent at the ends of the earth and I will find her and steal her away again. I will lie to God, himself, to free her. I will protect her with my life, and I will murder anyone who threatens her.

Redonk Nutshell: King's agent sent to abduct a female political pawn ends up falling in love

Dante Chiavari is sent by King Edward to intercept an envoy on route to collect a Welsh descendant of the nearly extinct Welsh royal line. He is to abduct her and keep her from being delivered into the hands of a man that threatens to raise a Welsh rebellion against the crown. Dante accepts this task with the stipulation that this will be his last - he finally has his cards set to return to his Italian homeland and claim what was stolen from him. He poses as a knight and enters Coleway castle with intent to steal away Avalene de Forshay. What he doesn't count on is falling in love with her.

Avalene hasn't seen her father in years. He sent her to be raised by her aunt and uncle, two people she can't seem to ever please, regardless of how hard she tries. She is sheltered in the castle, but not ignorant. She knows she is a pawn to be played in the game of kings. Her arranged marriage to a potential threat to the King of England has yet to be ratified. When "Sir Percival" arrives in court to take her to her betrothed, she is relieved to FINALLY be put to task. She is drawn to the knight, though she knows it's futile. When he welcomes her attentions, she becomes even more torn about her impending marriage. When "Percival" ends up being the notorious assassin to the king, she's mortified and irate. Yet still, she can't help her attraction to him.

This was a fun medieval romance. It's dark in the sense that Dante is not a "good" person, per se. He is, at heart, a killer, though he does so in the name of his king. His love for Avalene is the first he's ever felt of passion, and it's very romantic watching him fall for her.

Overall, this is a sweet and romantic read, though I don't foresee myself reading it again.

The Dark Knight by Elizabeth Elliott

Rating: C

Romance: 3.5/5 Raunch: 2/5

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by Elizabeth Elliott. The characters were very believable and interesting. Dante is the oh so handsome male lead who is dangerous, deadly and desirable. Avalene is the innocent, beautiful and virginal woman who captures the man of her dreams. For those who like medieval romance, this is the one for you. Read and you won't be disappointed.

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante Chiavari is what the English had made of him. Thief, assassin, feared mercenary, and master of disguise. Dante will do his part and play a chivalrous knight and steal Avalene de Forshay away from both her family and the ruthless Sir Faulke Segrave, who would wed Avalene, to use her as a pawn to start a war between Wales and the crown. Dante's job was to remover Avalene. Send her to a convent or something else. After meeting Avalene, Dante suddenly finds himself feeling something that he has never known, his own intent desire for Avalene, who in turn will find the greatest danger of losing her heart to this dark knight, and all of his secrets.

[Mary23nm · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up.

[D.C.A. Savia dcAsLeer · Rating 4 out of 5]

El asesino del rey, Dante, asesina a los traidores de su familia y se lleva al chiquillo desnutrido, probador de venenos del traidor.

Es encomendado por el mago y el rey de evitar que una doncella se case con un lord con quien engendraría al príncipe de Gales por su ascendencia y que el rey no puede negarlo.

Las opciones son asesinarla o casarse con ella. Pero él, restituidos sus títulos debe casarse con una noble italiana. Se hace pasar por el enviado de su padre para llevarla hasta él.

Es la que ella escucha desde la altura la llegada del muchacho y cae a sus brazos.
Es la que sus tíos la creen una inútil por las maquinaciones del hermano de su tía, John, que arruina todos sus tareas.
Es la que llega por error la compañía de juglares que había echado el año anterior por borrachos y la tía la acusa de contratarlos y los manda a echar sin paga. Ella lo hace y les promete comida.

Al adentrarse en sus aposentos ella estaba advertida por haber oído a sus tíos conspirar para arruinarla y luego casarse con él odioso John.

El asesino viste sus ropas infieles y escucha todo lo que ella le confiesa. Queda impactado por su belleza y decide no matarla. Planean la fuga al día siguiente.

Duermen en el camino en la misma cama. El la besa muy castamente y se promete no seducirla hasta llegar a su casa en Londres.

Es la que se encabritan los cabellos en una tormenta profetizada por el mago y ella termina encontrada por su prometido, que había extorsionado a su padre para casarse con ella y que contaba con tres matrimonios de muertes dudosas.

Dante la vuelve a rescatar drogándolos a todos. La trata con indiferencia pues había oído que ya sabía quién era y cree que le teme. Ella le demuestra que se le pasó el temor y que lo ama. Tienen escarceos hasta llegar al climax en un granero.

Es la que al llegar a Londres encuentran a la hija viuda del rey siendo invitada de él y ella no es adecuada para estar en su presencia y Dante había mandado a hacerle vestidos de sirvienta pues estaba receloso de ella antes de la misión.
Manda a confeccionarle vestidos finos.

Es la que el sirviente de la princesa la trata irrespetuosamente y el Segundo de Dante lo amenaza hasta que se disculpe. Él entra e ignora a la princesa y trata a Avalene como a una noble. El sirviente se disculpa. Explican sus ropas y que es una invitada por encomienda de su padre. La princesa la toma como a una “amiga”.

Ella se siente insegura. Habían planeado ir a Italia pero sabe que está arruinada.
Es la que llega su padre y el rey y su prometido y deben negociar.
Es la que intercambian a la princesa por ella, pero se le quitarían todos los títulos si la princesa muriera.
Es la que destierran a Dante de Inglaterra por un año por el secuestro.
El padre de ella debe aceptar los términos pero quiere mandarla a un monasterio. Acepta la decisión de ella.
Finalmente se casan.

[Katie_la_geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this review and more visit my

*I was provided with a free copy of this review in exchance for a review*

The dark knight is a book I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would. From the first page I found it very atmospheric and intriguing.

I thought the writing was great; it managed to be descriptive without info dumping. I thought the first half of the book was very interesting because the main character thinks she knows what is going on but you know that actually things are not what she thinks they are at all. The second half of the book was more focussed on the romance.

Generally speaking the romance was good, it had a lot of tension and a lot of build up with was great but the build-up lead to nothing, just a sex scene. Because of the build-up I expected more to happen between the sheets.

I quite liked the characters. I much preferred Dante to Avalene; he had more personality and is an assassin which I have a bit of a thing for. I couldn’t connect to Avelene as well. She did not have as strong a personality as Dante but she was ok.

The Dark Knight is a good historical romance with some good writing. I would have liked some more intimate moments but over all I really enjoyed it.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story. I like medieval-set romances and this one is a good example. I liked that Elliott included some history outside of the usual English knights and castles, though the Venetian bits were minimal. The hero is the King's Assassin. The heroine is a woman he has to keep from marrying her betrothed, without killing either the woman or her betrothed.

I had to think a bit to figure out what annoyed me about the story-- I kept having to remind myself that I was actually enjoying the story in order to get myself to keep reading it. And I'm pretty sure it was the "most beautiful heroine ever, but she doesn't know it" cliché that bothered me. Yes, Elliott explained the girl's obliviousness well, but it's still a cliché and it's one that I've never liked. I'd rather see an author play with the cliché than find a workaround, an explanation for it. It made the heroine seem kind of a dim bulb and it made the story more ordinary.

It was a nice story. I enjoyed it. But it wasn't extraordinary.

[AmyChristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads for this first reads giveaway! I love historical romance. The plot was a bit much for a romance, but the main characters had good chemistry. I was a little turned off by some dialogue such as "I love you" with a response from Dante of "thank you". My overall impression is mediocre.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been stalking Elizabeth Elliott's website ever since I finished her book 'The Warlord'. I'm so glad she's returned after such a long hiatus with this book! Sometimes I feel that the book did drag on a little bit too much, but I'm just glad that Elizabeth Elliott back. Hoping that she'd release a new book soon!

[yoksan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading it the second time made me found too many annoying stuffs to fully enjoy the story.

I found Dante to be a bit more irritating, and Avalene to be dimwit and unmemorable. If she isn't the main character, I wouldn't even bother to remember her name.

Stars dropped down from 4 to 2.5

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book very much. While I thought the middle slowed down (to a halt) it does pick back up at the 67%. Dante is a great hero and I loved Avalene (just not her lip biting quirk). I'm looking forward to the next book. I hope Armand gets a story!

[Zita · Rating 3 out of 5]

ด้วยความที่เป็นแนวยุคกลาง บวกกับปูเรื่องมาว่าพระเอกเป็นเพชฌฆาตเลือดเย็น ตอนแรกเลยเตรียมใจไว้ว่าพระเอกน่าจะป่าเถื่อน แต่ปรากฏว่าไม่ยักเถื่อนอย่างที่คิด ออกจะดูแลนางเอกอย่างดีด้วยซ้ำ แถมพระเอกปลอมตัวเป็นอัศวินอยู่ครึ่งเรื่อง มันเลยมีความอัศวินหนุ่มกับเลดี้คนสวย ได้ไวบ์ยุคกลางแบบไม่ต้องทนหงุดหงิดความป่าเถื่อนของพระเอกเหมือนแนวยุคกลางเรื่องอื่นๆ

แต่ถึงจะชอบบรรยากาศ เนื้อเรื่องที่เป็นหัวใจสำคัญมันกลับเนือยนาย เรื่องราวส่วนใหญ่คือการเดินทางไปลอนดอนของพระเอกนางเอก เดินทางกันทั้งเรื่อง ส่วนตัวไม่ค่อยนิยมชมชอบแนว road trip เลยแอบเบื่อเป็นพักๆ ในส่วนของ romance ก็ instalove เหลือเกิน แค่แรกพบสบตาก็หลงใหลกันหัวปักหัวปำ

สิ่งนึงที่ช่วยเกื้อหนุนบรรยากาศยุคกลางคือบทแปล สำนวนแปลเล่มนี้ออกแนวโบราณๆ หน่อย ใช้คำว่า ดอก, เทียว, ฤา, ลางที ฯลฯ ปกติเวลาอ่านพีเรียดตะวันตกไม่ค่อยเจอคนใช้สำนวนโบราณแบบนี้เท่าไหร่ ลิเกสะใจดีมาก ติดตรงสรรพนามแทนตัวนางเอกดันใช้ว่าเธอ ไหนๆ ก็ลิเกมาขนาดนี้ละ ใช้ว่านางหรือหล่อนน่าจะเข้ากว่า (แต่จริงๆ ก็มีนาง/หล่อนโผล่มาเป็นพักๆ นะ แค่ส่วนใหญ่ใช้คำว่าเธอเลยขัดๆ นิดนึง)

[Megan Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had all the ingredients of a great HistRom, but it ended up falling flat for me. I loved the setting, learning all about the Welsh Marcher Lords and seeing a bit of Venice and Dante's backstory. I quite liked Dante and Avalene separately, but together I'm not sure they made all that much sense. I got the feeling I was being TOLD they were falling for eachother without actually seeing it for myself.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

(4.5) She really should have been more upset about all the lying, i was praying for him to be iced out, etc.also no epilogue! but i still loved, was really scared of the mistress curse, minus point five for no epilogue. instant classic

[sandy forguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story between Dante (the kind assassin) and avelyn if you haven’t read any of her books I would highly recommend 👍

[Seantheaussie · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 star DNF on p15. Don't like mystical crap in my HR.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining

A very entertaining book with lots of twists and turns. A compelling romance. Both hero and heroine not the usual characters

[Bea Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smitten assassin you say? Yes, yessss.

[Koe]

Dnf @263
I liked it alright, but I can't be bothered to continue.

[Zee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let’s face it I’m never finishing this book. The writing just didn’t work for me and none of the characters acted according the given time period.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

HELL YEAHHHH BROTHERRRR